Program Overview

Spring Lab is put on by Hisako Film Lab and Maui Huliau Foundation.

This advanced filmmaking program offers an in-depth, project-based immersion for motivated high school students eager to elevate their storytelling and production skills while creating media with a meaningful message for our Maui community. Working in small teams, students will produce original short films that shine a light on important local environmental, social or cultural issues. Students will receive detailed guidance throughout the process and will be joined in-person and virtually by industry professional guest speakers, including Hisako Film Lab founder Destin Daniel Cretton (writer/director of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day).

The program takes place between January 19-April 13, 2026 at a Central Maui location. Further details below.

Project Theme

Students will pitch their own film ideas centered on an important sustainability, cultural, or social issue unfolding right now on Maui or within the broader community. Films can take the form of Narrative (scripted, with actors, fictional and/or dramatized) or Documentary (highlighting real people and real events) and may adopt any tone or style—serious, lighthearted, funny, bizarre, animated, or beyond. The ultimate goal is to create work that is both entertaining and meaningful to our Maui community, and our team of filmmaking instructors, environmental experts, and guest speakers will guide students every step of the way to make that vision a reality.

Eligibility: Age, Experience

We’re looking for enthusiastic students who are excited to use storytelling and filmmaking to create a real social impact. Students currently in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. Must be age 14 and up. Open to Maui residents only. Applicants will ideally have previous filmmaking experience and understand basic digital camera settings and editing software. However, serious applicants with less film experience are welcome to apply.

Application/Acceptance Process

Acceptance to the program is on a selective basis. Not everyone who applies will be invited to participate. After submitting an application, students may be contacted for a brief virtual interview. Acceptance status will be announced through an email to applicants.

Early Deadline: Application due November 3, 2025
Extended Deadline: Application due Dec 15, 2025

We encourage you to submit applications as soon as possible.

$0 Cost, Attendance, General Requirements

Attending the program is absolutely FREE.
Attendance is mandatory for all class sessions and all location filming. Before applying, review the program schedule to determine your availability to participate. Please notify instructors ahead of time for any scheduling conflicts you foresee.
In addition to regular meeting sessions at a Central Maui location, students will need to arrange travel for off-site filming locations during the production (filming) phase. Limited transportation may be available to arrange from instructors as needed.

Meeting Locations, Schedule, Cohorts

Regular meeting sessions will take place from 3:30-5:30pm after school on Mondays and Wednesdays through the end of February, and then continue on Mondays until April 13, with Wednesdays being used as open assistance hours for individual students or teams. Please note that the very first meeting on Monday Jan 29 will be an extended session from 9am-3pm, and that filming will take place on a custom schedule for each team during Spring Break from March 16-20.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

Pre-Production: Jan 19 - Feb 25
Research/defining message, pitch writing, script writing, equipment practice & guest speakers
Monday January 19th 9am-3pm | MLK Holiday Extended Intro Session
Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30-5:30pm from Jan 21- Feb 25 | No meeting on President’s Day holiday Feb 16

Final Production Prep: March 2 & 9 (Mondays Only)
Location scouting, casting, costumes, film practice scenes & finalize preproduction
Mondays only 3:30-5:30pm March 2 & 9

Production Week: March 16 - 20 (School Spring Break)
Filming!
Schedule set by each team. Must be available to film at least 3 days without other Spring Break conflicts. Backup filming day: Kūhiō Day March 26.

Post-Production: March 23 - April 13
Editing & feedback from guest speakers
Mondays 3:30-5:30pm | All students
Wednesdays 2-6pm | Open hours for editing assistance, each team sends members for 1.5 to 3 hours (TBD)

Premiere Party!

Students will premiere their films at a special red carpet screening night open to the public! Date: Early May. More details to be announced.

Contact

Questions? Send to: bk@hisakofilms.com